1THESE are the words of Agur the son of Jakeh, who prophesied and received power, He said to Ithliel,

2Surely, I am weak minded, and have not the understanding of men.

3I know not wisdom, nor have I learned the knowledge of the holy men.

4Tell me, Who has ascended up into heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in a handkerchief? Who has established all the borders of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you can tell?

5Every word of God is pure; he is a shield to those who put their trust in him.

6Do not add to his words; lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.

7Two things have I asked of thee; deny them not to me before I die:

8Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; give me life sufficient

9Lest I be full, and lie, and say, Who is the LORD? Or lest I be poor and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

10Do not deliver a slave to his master, lest he curse you, and you be found guilty.

11There is a generation that curses their fathers, and does not bless their mothers.

12There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, and vet is not washed from their filthiness.

13There is a generation. O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

14There is a generation, whose teeth are like swords, and their jaw teeth like knives, to devour the poor from off the earth and the needy from among men.

15A gluttonous man has three beloved daughters. There are three things that are never satisfied; yea, a fourth that never says, It is enough:

16Sheol; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that never says, It is enough.

17The eye that mocks at his father and despises the old age of his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young vultures shall eat it.

18There are three things that are hidden from me, yea, four which I do not know:

19The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man in his youth.

20Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, I have done no evil.

21Under three things the earth quakes, and under four it cannot endure:

22Under a servant when he reigns: and under a fool when he is filled with bread;

23Under an odious woman when she is married; and under a maidservant who ousts her mistress.

24There are four things that are small upon the earth, but they are wiser than wise men:

25The ants which have no strength, yet they provide their food in the summer;

26The conies who lack strength, and yet they make their houses in the rocks;

27The locusts who have no king, and yet they all gather together.

28The chameleon which takes hold with her hands, but is found in kings' palaces.

29There are three things that go well, yea, four are graceful in their going:

30The lion which is mightiest among beasts, and neither fears nor turns back before any of the beasts:

31The cock that walks proudly among the chickens; the he-goat that goes before the flock; and a king who speaks among the people.

32Covet not that you may not be reproached; do not feed yourself by things acquired wrongfully.

33Out of the richness of the milk comes forth butter; and if you press your hand on a raw grain of wheat, it will bring forth juices; thus out of the strife goes forth judgment.